By Kent Layne
Trainer Richard Deane will have Kitten’s Star firing on all cylinders for the End of Season Handicap today at the Garrison Savannah, the final race day of the second season for 2022. And, the three-year-old bay colt will be going after a hat-trick of wins.
The End of Season Handicap has a purse of $17 000 for horses rated 70-52 and will run off at 7:30 p.m. going 1570 meters and is the final race of the night on the eight-race card.
Kitten’s Star by Derby Kitten out of Bold Ballad and owned by Mr. Arjay, has the distinction as the only horse to defeat this year’s Triple Crown winner Hurricane in his career, dismissing him on April 9 at 1100 meters.
Though never winning at this evening’s trip, his class could get him home as he is the second-highest rated horse in the field at 67 after defeating older horses for the first time last race day, including Marengo into third place who is the highest-rated horse in Saturday’s field at 70. Kitten’s Star has drawn number 6 and will be ridden by Rey Williams and carrying 119 pounds.
Horse number 4 Jamaican-bred Marengo owned by Steve and Allen Madoo and trained by Robert Peirce has not won since last year November, defeating USA imported five-year-old mare Last One I Promise at the sprint trip of 1100 meters and will be looking to do so again today. Marengo, who will have Rickey Walcott in the saddle, will be seeking revenge on Kitten’s Star.
Shaq O’neil’s Last One I Promise last entered the winners’ circle in February of this year at 1800 meters defeating subsequent Tanglewood Stakes creole winner Neilos into second place and Seventeenmillionus into seventh. Trained by Romell Lovell, the USA-Imported mare went on to finish third on March 5 in the 1570 meter Magna Garcia Handicap behind winner Alegria and got ahead of Marengo for the final podium.
Last One I Promise has drawn number 1 and Delano Lopez will ride carrying 124 Ibs.
Seventeenmillionus, a second entry for trainer Richard Deane and owned by his son Adam, placed second to Tudor Rose on August 20 at 1800 meters and was then unplaced behind the same runner last race day at 2200 meters or 11 furlongs. The horse will feel at home at 1570. Winless this year, the six-year-old mare could be a danger. Anderson Trotman will ride from gate 8 carrying 110 Ibs.
Rene, Ollivander, Filmores and Jackmanannygap complete the field.
My Selection: Kitten’ s Star, Marengo, Last One I Promise, Seventeenmillionus.Post time for Race 1 is 3:30 p.m. There will be free admission to all grandstands.
